Jane Prendergast and Jason Williams

What’s next

New details about higher costs for the city’s streetcar threaten to undermine support for the controversial project – with even top council boosters saying Wednesday they were willing to consider canceling it and one saying it needs a “miracle.”

Pulling the plug on the streetcar could leave the city out $44 million – and with five streetcars without a rail to run on.

City Manager Milton Dohoney sent a memo to Mayor Mark Mallory and council members late Tuesday confirming construction bids came in higher than expected, creating a budget gap of $22.7 million. The memo also says a project contractor and third-party transit experts were able to cut $5.3 million of the costs; that leaves a $17.4 million funding gap. The total project estimate is now $133 million, up from $110 million.

Dohoney’s memo prompted Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls to call a public hearing April 29 to discuss whether the project should move forward.

“I continue to be a supporter, but I’ve also said very clearly that we did not give the manager and the administration an open check book,” said Qualls, who is running for mayor. “So now’s the time to talk about what’s contributed to the cost overruns, what is still anticipated to be the return on investment and also, given that many people are calling for the cancellation, what, if any, are the costs of canceling – and the consequences.”

The city already has spent or has contractually obligated $44 million. That includes a $20.5 million contractual obligation with CAF USA, which is currently manufacturing the five streetcars in Spain.

Meg Olberding, Dohoney’s spokeswoman, said the other money spent has been on design for shelters, tracks and the route.

The third-party group, which included The Banks project leader John Deatrick – whom the city wants to hire to manage the streetcar project – helped identify the $5.3 million in cuts. That includes, for example, not installing new traffic lights at each intersection, Olberding said.

Councilman Chris Seelbach, who has supported the project, told The Enquirer he’s now torn about it.

“I’m not ready to give up, but I wouldn’t vote for any additional money” going to the project, Seelbach said.

Qualls and Seelbach said they are uncertain where the money to cover the cost will come from; Dohoney’s memo did not recommend a source.

Mayor Mallory joked that he’ll dig through the couch cushions in his office to find some extra money: “Seventeen point four (million). We’ll find it. We’ve run into roadblocks before. We’ve always overcome them.”

Like Qualls, Councilwoman Laure Quinlivan and Councilman Wendell Young say they remain committed to the project but want answers about money. Yvette Simpson has also been a supporter.

“I have high hopes that John Deatrick is going to be able to get these costs down,” Young said. “Let’s hope he can work the miracle. Because that’s what we need.”

New Councilwoman Pamula Thomas – sworn in during Wednesday’s meeting – said she wants to gather information before deciding where she stands. Her husband and predecessor, Cecil Thomas, was a streetcar project supporter.

Opponents of the streetcar on council include Christopher Smitherman, P.G. Sittenfeld and Charlie Winburn.

Qualls set a special meeting of council’s budget committee for April 29. After council gets a briefing from the administration on the project’s finances, the public will be able to weigh in.

Former Councilman John Cranley, running for mayor against Qualls, turned the issue back on her: “The streetcar has been a bad idea and a bad deal for the people of Cincinnati from the beginning. When is she going to say, ‘Enough is enough’? ”

The need for more money comes as the city administration is also figuring out how many city employees will be laid off to fill the $35 million deficit projected for next year. As of now, 344 are slated to be let go, 149 of them police officers and 118 firefighters. The tentative date is June 9. ⬛